Every journey is ventured upon in the hope of reaching the final destination.
We start a degree hoping to achieve a diploma. We slave away at work eager to attain a promotion. We earn money to pay the rent.
Relationships are no different.
Whether a relationship has only just taken off or is established and en-route, many of us seek to achieve that ultimate destination of utopia – finding the one person we will spend the rest of our life with.
Disagree?
Well, although I could inevitably ramble into a lovey-dovey spill about the beauty of a loving relationship, sceptics can look at this on a merely practical level.
Knowing how much my (and most women’s) appearance seems to disintegrate throughout the night whilst my partner seems to look as good-looking in the morning as when we fell asleep, I take some comfort in knowing that just because I’ve woken up with panda eyes and Jedward hair he won’t hold it against me.
For me, the current lap of my journey is the 9:40, Monday morning 3 hour train from Bristol to Sheffield.
After spending a relaxing, work-free weekend with my boyfriend, eating and spending way too much, its back to the reality of Uni deadlines and dreary lectures.
Considering the number of obstacles blocking our path and steering us off route;
Are we nearly there yet?
Woody Allen once said that “To love is to suffer”, and I think in this there is no denying.
Long-distance relationships can only make the distance with commitment, sacrifice and devotion; without these the likelihood of survival are minimal.
Webcams can only fill the void so much, and three years of periodic absences are enough to put any relationship through its fair share of hardship.
Although these barriers may delay the journey, if you can make it through you’ll become stronger than ever.
My obstacle may be distance, but equally couples living within Sheffield or even as housemates can be fighting through challenging hurdles.
Exam stress, money problems and housemate dramas can all contribute to an exigent relationship.
However much we try to keep our eyes on the goal, and tell ourselves that “it will be worth it in the long-term”, the exertion can easily become overwhelming.
My train is just about to arrive at Sheffield Station, and I know that I will predictably annoy my housemates for the rest of the day about how unfair the distance is and how quickly the weekend passed.
Although I may moan, in my heart I know that it is the only way that we will reach our goals.
Conquering obstacles and not letting them deter you from your destination proves the allegiance and dedication you must have to your other half.
Bon voyage!
By Sarah Darby